Dating Phonographs

Discussions on Talking Machines & Accessories
parnold
Victor Jr
Posts: 13
Joined: Fri Mar 01, 2013 6:43 am

Dating Phonographs

Post by parnold »

Hello:
Need someone with more knowledge than I have in regards to dating Edison and Harmony Phonographs. Can't find anything online.

Harmony, Type D (rear mount),unable to locate s/n
Edison Home, s/n 320646
Edison C-19, s/n 144077
Edison A-100, s/n 2345

Any help would be appreciated

User avatar
phonogfp
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 8005
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:08 pm
Personal Text: "If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will." - A. Lincoln
Location: New York's Finger Lakes

Re: Dating Phonographs

Post by phonogfp »

Dating phonographs can be difficult. Especially if it has overly-protective parents. ;)

The Edison Home left the factory probably in July 1908. My data stops at May 1908, but at only about 3000 short of your number, we can project that pretty accurately. Can't be more than a month off either way.

Your Edison A-100 has a fairly low serial number, so probably dates from Christmas 1915 or very early 1916.

The Edison C-19 is 1919 or later.

I can't offer any help with the Harmony without seeing photos.

George P.

User avatar
De Soto Frank
Victor V
Posts: 2687
Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2010 1:27 pm
Location: Northeast Pennsylvania

Re: Dating Phonographs

Post by De Soto Frank »

phonogfp wrote:Dating phonographs can be difficult. Especially if it has overly-protective parents. ;)


George P.

:lol: :lol: :lol:


I was going "to go there", but you beat me to it, George !

:D
De Soto Frank

User avatar
VintageTechnologies
Victor IV
Posts: 1651
Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2011 12:09 pm

Re: Dating Phonographs

Post by VintageTechnologies »

I'm sure George takes his phonograph dates to the "talkies". Right, George? :lol:

User avatar
phonogfp
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 8005
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:08 pm
Personal Text: "If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will." - A. Lincoln
Location: New York's Finger Lakes

Re: Dating Phonographs

Post by phonogfp »

My phonograph dates say I talk too much! :D

George P.

parnold
Victor Jr
Posts: 13
Joined: Fri Mar 01, 2013 6:43 am

Re: Dating Phonographs

Post by parnold »

I kind of thought that header title would catch peoples attention :lol:

Could this be considered a new form of online dating (Ha Ha) :roll:

Thanks for the info. If anyone has an idea about the the Harmony production date let me know.

Phonofreak
Victor VI
Posts: 3720
Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2010 7:00 pm
Location: Western, WA State

Re: Dating Phonographs

Post by Phonofreak »

If the Harmony rear mount is what I think it is, it's a Columbia client machine. These had a case similar to a Columbia BH. they usually had a blue floral horn with gold stripes.These were made from 1909-14 according to Reiss's book, The Complete Talking Machine. That's my guess without seeing a picture.
Harvey Kravitz

HisMastersVoice
Auxetophone
Posts: 2587
Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 5:01 am

Re: Dating Phonographs

Post by HisMastersVoice »

parnold wrote: If anyone has an idea about the the Harmony production date let me know.
Don't you mean eHarmony? ;)

User avatar
kropton
Victor I
Posts: 131
Joined: Wed Jul 06, 2011 6:29 am
Location: Poland - Warsaw
Contact:

Re: Dating Phonographs

Post by kropton »

Could you tell me date my standard A suitcase phonograph ?
serial S27109

User avatar
phonogfp
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 8005
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:08 pm
Personal Text: "If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will." - A. Lincoln
Location: New York's Finger Lakes

Re: Dating Phonographs

Post by phonogfp »

kropton wrote:Could you tell me date my standard A suitcase phonograph ?
serial S27109
Standard No.27109 left the factory about September 1900.

George P.

Post Reply